Implements policies and organises activities in designated parks and other areas to conserve and protect natural and cultural heritage; participates in management planning by providing environmental information and making inventories of plants, animals and items of cultural and heritage significance.

• Works indoors in offices of the Department of Conservation or local authorities.
• Works outdoors and travels by vehicle, watercraft or foot to and through parks, reserves and conservation areas. Work areas outdoors may be quite isolated.
• Works in adequately lit, heated, ventilated and clean, well maintained workspaces when
• Work outdoors may require the use of protective clothing and footwear. Works in all weather conditions.

• Medium to heavy physical demand, with occasional sitting in offices, meetings or vehicles.
• Stands and walks frequently to carry out inspections of conservation areas, reserves and parks and under take physical construction and maintenance of tracks, huts or signage. Terrain may be rough.
• Occasional requirement for lifting, carrying or pulling on sites to remove fallen trees, shift construction materials, tools and equipment or supplies and carry packs to within medium to heavy physical demand.
• Occasional bending, squatting or crouching and stretching, twisting and climbing may be required for inspections, site maintenance and construction work.
• Repetitive hand and finger movements are not a significant component of the job.
• There is frequent use of hand tools and equipment including pens, hand and power tools, planting, spraying and bush clearing equipment.
• Frequent driving of cars, 4WD or utility vehicles is required.
• Mental skills necessary include bush craft, survival, animal handling, search and rescue, enforcement, record keeping, construction, pest control, communication, organisational, decision-making and problem solving capabilities.

• A relevant tertiary qualification or at least five years applicable experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances particular experience and/or on-the-job training may be required. A driver's licence will be required.
• To become a Park Ranger, a National Certificate in Conservation (Trainee Ranger) is useful. This is a one-year course. A Bachelor of Science, or a conservation or management course, is also useful.
• Useful experience to gain entry into this role includes: work in conservation through contract work or as a volunteer; completion of online courses run by the Department of Conservation; outdoor experience such as tramping, camping or farming; a First Aid Certificate; a Risk Management Course Certificate; and knowledge and understanding of Māori culture and protocol.
• Rangers gain many of their skills on the job and/or by completing work-based training courses.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.